Shirreffs pulls Skinner from Affirmed Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Skinner, one of the leading 3-year-olds in California this year, has been withdrawn from Sunday’s $100,000 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita, according to a statement from the track’s publicity department.

Skinner was the 9-5 second choice on the morning line in a field of six for the Affirmed.

Trainer John Shirreffs told track publicity that he was not satisfied with the way Skinner jogged in recent days.

Shirreffs was not immediately available for further comment.

This is the second time this spring Skinner has been scratched after being entered. He was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5 a day before the race because of a reported elevated temperature.

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Owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable, Skinner has won once in six starts, a maiden race in February. He was later third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 4 and third by a half-length in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

The absence of Skinner will leave Geaux Rocket Ride a strong favorite in the Affirmed, which is run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds. Geaux Rocket Ride has not raced since he finished second in his stakes debut in the San Felipe Stakes.

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